Validity and reliability of SCREEN II (Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition) search in Turkish society / Validez y fiabilidad de la escala de evaluación de riesgos para la alimentación y la nutrición (SCREEN II) en la sociedad turca

Objective: the aim of this study is to determine the reliability and the validity of the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN II) scale, which has been developed with the aim of evaluating eating and nutrition risks. Methods: a total of 207 elderly were included in the study. The Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT) was applied to individuals for mental adequacy assessment and then SCREEN II scale was applied. For the selection of scale items, main components factor analysis and Varimaks conversion has been applied to the data and it has been decided to use the components which have 0.40 and bigger factor loading. Results: in accordance with the validity and reliability analyzes, it was determined that the 3 subscales and 12-item adaptation of the SCREEN scale were suitable for Turkish society. These subscales are “Food intake and eating habits”, “Conditions and difficulties affecting food intake” and “Weight change and food restriction”. When the Cronbach alpha internal consistency values were evaluated for the reliability of the SCREEN II scale, the obtained values indicated that the items in each subscale were consistent with each other and formed a whole. Conclusion: the findings have shown that SCREEN II is a reliable and valid scale for the elderly people living in Turkey. (AU)

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es determinar la fiabilidad y la validez de la escala de evaluación de riesgos para la alimentación y la nutrición en adultos mayores en la comunidad (SCREEN II, por sus siglas en inglés), que se ha desarrollado con el objetivo de evaluar los riesgos alimentarios y nutricionales de las personas mayores. Métodos: se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 207 personas mayores. Se aplicó el SMMT (Standardized Mini-Mental Test) para la evaluación de función cognitiva y luego se aplicó la escala SCREEN II. Para la selección de ítems de la escala, se han aplicado a los datos el análisis factorial de componentes principales y la conversión de Varimaks, y se ha decidido utilizar los componentes que tienen una carga factorial de 0,40 y mayor. Resultados: el estudio mostró que las tres subescalas y la adaptación de los 12 ítems de la herramienta fueron de utilidad cuando se aplicaron a la población turca. Las tres subescalsa fueron: " ingesta de alimentos y hábitos dietéticos", "condiciones y dificultades que afectan a la ingestión de alimentos" y "cambios en el peso y restricción alimentaria". Al aplicar los valores de consistencia interna Cronbach alpha se evidenció que los ítems de cada subescala eran consistentes entre sí y constituían un todo. Conclusión: los hallazgos han demostrado que SCREEN II es una escala confiable y válida para las personas mayores que viven en Turquía. (AU)

Validity and reliability of SCREEN II (Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition) search in Turkish society.

Introduction: Objective: the aim of this study is to determine the reliability and the validity of the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN II) scale, which has been developed with the aim of evaluating eating and nutrition risks. Methods: a total of 207 elderly were included in the study. The Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT) was applied to individuals for mental adequacy assessment and then SCREEN II scale was applied. For the selection of scale items, main components factor analysis and Varimaks conversion has been applied to the data and it has been decided to use the components which have 0.40 and bigger factor loading. Results: in accordance with the validity and reliability analyzes, it was determined that the 3 subscales and 12-item adaptation of the SCREEN scale were suitable for Turkish society. These subscales are "Food intake and eating habits", "Conditions and difficulties affecting food intake" and "Weight change and food restriction". When the Cronbach alpha internal consistency values were evaluated for the reliability of the SCREEN II scale, the obtained values indicated that the items in each subscale were consistent with each other and formed a whole. Conclusion: the findings have shown that SCREEN II is a reliable and valid scale for the elderly people living in Turkey.

Introducción: Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es determinar la fiabilidad y la validez de la escala de evaluación de riesgos para la alimentación y la nutrición en adultos mayores en la comunidad (SCREEN II, por sus siglas en inglés), que se ha desarrollado con el objetivo de evaluar los riesgos alimentarios y nutricionales de las personas mayores. Métodos: se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 207 personas mayores. Se aplicó el SMMT (Standardized Mini-Mental Test) para la evaluación de función cognitiva y luego se aplicó la escala SCREEN II. Para la selección de ítems de la escala, se han aplicado a los datos el análisis factorial de componentes principales y la conversión de Varimaks, y se ha decidido utilizar los componentes que tienen una carga factorial de 0,40 y mayor. Resultados: El estudio mostró que las tres subescalas y la adaptación de los 12 ítems de la herramienta fueron de utilidad cuando se aplicaron a la población turca. Las tres subescalsa fueron: " ingesta de alimentos y hábitos dietéticos", "condiciones y dificultades que afectan a la ingestión de alimentos" y "cambios en el peso y restricción alimentaria". Al aplicar los valores de consistencia interna Cronbach alpha se evidenció que los ítems de cada subescala eran consistentes entre sí y constituían un todo. Conclusión: los hallazgos han demostrado que SCREEN II es una escala confiable y válida para las personas mayores que viven en Turquía.

Effects of Dietary Fats on Immune System Response in Covid-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is affecting people around the globe, is a respiratory disease that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and that has reached the pandemic state. It is known that people who are vulnerable but who are not immunocompromised can still suffer from serious complications of COVID-19. The general nutritional status and food consumption patterns of each individual affect the functioning of his or her immune system. The effects of these patterns can occur at the level of physical barriers, the microbiome, the innate immune system, and the adaptive immune system. Immune system cells and mediators, which are essential to the inflammatory response, are in the structures of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and act through vitamins and minerals. The combination of chronic infection and malnutrition disrupts the immune response, affects the amount of immune cells, and increases inflammatory mediators. Dietary fat (in terms of both amount and type) affects cytokine biology, making the former a key player in inflammatory disease; also having an important role as macronutrients, because of how they affect immune cells and function. This review explores the role of dietary fat in the immune response, highlighting the role in protecting the individual from COVID-19 and mitigating the cytokine storm in the infection phase.

Nutritional status of the free-living elderly.

OBJECTIVES: Measuring malnutrition is difficult in all settings and confused with the signs of aging. Mini nutritional assessment is an effective tool designed to identify older adults who have a risk of developing malnutrition. METHODS: Three hundred and one free-living elderly who lived with their family or alone were included in the study. Nutritional screening was performed with mini nutritional assessment and mini nutritional assessment short form. Dietary intake was assessed by a 3-days weighted food record. RESULTS: According to mini nutritional assessment in the 65-74 years young-old group, malnutrition, risk of malnutrition, and normal nutrition was 2.4%, 39.5%, 58.2%, respectively, and in the 75-84 years old-old group it was 10.2%, 48.7%, 41.0%, respectively, and in the older than 85 years oldest-old group 92.3%, 7.7%, 0%, respectively. The lowest nutritional intake by recommended dietary allowance was zinc and the highest intake was sodium. Neither young-old group nor old-old group nor oldest-old group met the B12 and zinc requirements. CONCLUSIONS: The free-living elderly at an age of 85 years and above are, accompanied by the existence of factors which may mask their weight losses, under a severe risk of malnutrition unless they receive adequate medical care and attention.

Determination breakfast habits of university students according to where they live

Introduction and Aims: Breakfast is one of the most important parts of a healthy diet. There is a relationship between remembering and blood glucose level, and having breakfast makes remembering easier This research is planned to determine the breakfast habits of students studying at Kırklareli University. Materials And Methods: 51% of the students (n = 1200) are male and 49% are female. The research data were collected with the help of a questionnaire using face-to-face interview technique, and the questionnaire prepared by the researcher included information about demographic characteristics, place of residence, disease information, breakfast habits, water and food-beverage consumption frequency, and foods consumed at breakfast. Results: No significant difference was found between male and female students in terms of Body Mass Indexes. It was determined that 49% of the students stayed in the dormitory/sorority, 28% stayed in the student house, 23% lived with their family. It was determined that 73% of students had breakfast and 27% did not have regular breakfast. Also, the habit of having irregular breakfast is the most common in staying in the student house, and the habit of having the most regular breakfast in the state dormitory/sorority. Conclusion: Breakfast service should be offered in school cafeterias especially in the student house and soups should be sold in canteens, especially in winter. Educational activities such as seminars and conferences on nutrition should be organized and researches including cognitive and behavioral tests should be conducted to determine the effect of breakfast meal on students’ cognitive performance. (AU)

Malnourishment in the overweight and obese elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Background: the prevalence of obesity in the elderly has increased in recent years. Malnutrition is a syndrome characterized by inadequate intake and absorption of nutrients. Obesity could mask the presence of malnutrition. Objective: this study aimed to determine malnutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test in obese and overweight elderly. Methods: one hundred and eighty-seven overweight or obese elderly have been taken under review and nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Result: there were 101 (54.3%) male and 86 (45.7%) female elderly. Body mass index (BMI) variability of the sample group was between 25.0 and 48.9. Malnourishment percentile is 49.7% for elderly people whose BMI is over 25. Conclusion: elderly individuals, especially those who are overweight or obese, are under more health threats and should be evaluated more carefully.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la prevalencia de obesidad en el anciano ha aumentado en los últimos años. La desnutrición es un cuadro que se caracteriza por una ingesta y una absorción de nutrientes insuficiente. La obesidad puede enmascarar la presencia de desnutrición. Objetivo: este estudio pretende determinar la presencia de desnutrición medida mediante el Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) en ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad. Métodos: se evaluaron 187 ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad mediante el cuestionario corto MNA. Resultados: la muestra incluyó 101 varones (54,3%) y 86 mujeres (45,7%). El rango de índice de masa corporal (IMC) osciló entre 25,0 y 48,9. Se encontró desnutrición en el 49,7% de los ancianos con IMC > 25. Conclusiones: los ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad están sometidos a una mayor amenaza para la salud y deberían ser evaluados cuidadosamente.

Malnourishment in the overweight and obese elderly / Desnutrición en el anciano con sobrepeso y obesidad

Background: the prevalence of obesity in the elderly has increased in recent years. Malnutrition is a syndrome characterized by inadequate intake and absorption of nutrients. Obesity could mask the presence of malnutrition. Objective: this study aimed to determine malnutrition using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test in obese and overweight elderly. Methods: one hundred and eighty-seven overweight or obese elderly have been taken under review and nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Result: there were 101 (54.3%) male and 86 (45.7%) female elderly. Body mass index (BMI) variability of the sample group was between 25.0 and 48.9. Malnourishment percentile is 49.7% for elderly people whose BMI is over 25. Conclusion: elderly individuals, especially those who are overweight or obese, are under more health threats and should be evaluated more carefully

Introducción: la prevalencia de obesidad en el anciano ha aumentado en los últimos años. La desnutrición es un cuadro que se caracteriza por una ingesta y una absorción de nutrientes insuficiente. La obesidad puede enmascarar la presencia de desnutrición. Objetivo: este estudio pretende determinar la presencia de desnutrición medida mediante el Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) en ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad. Métodos: se evaluaron 187 ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad mediente el cuestionario corto MNA Resultados: la muestra incluyó 101 varones (54,3%) y 86 mujeres (45,7%). El rango de índice de masa corporal (IMC) osciló entre 25,0 y 48,9. Se encontró desnutrición en el 49,7% de los ancianos con IMC > 25. Conclusiones: los ancianos con sobrepeso u obesidad están sometidos a una mayor amenaza para la salud y deberían ser evaluados cuidadosamente

Appropriate neck circumference cut-off points for metabolic syndrome in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes / Puntos de corte del perímetro del cuello apropiados para el síndrome metabólico en pacientes turcos con diabetes tipo 2

Objective: To investigate the association between neck circumference (NC), overweight, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 264 diabetic patients (mean age: 52.9±8.1 years) were recruited from two centers in Istanbul to perform anthropometric measurements, including waist and hip circumference, NC, and body mass index. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels) were determined. Results: NC correlated with waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides in men, whereas NC only correlated with waist circumference in women. Additionally, NC was shown to negatively correlate with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both men and women. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve for NC and overweight was 0.95 for both men and women (P<0.001). Moreover, a NC of 38cm for men and 37cm for women was the best cut-off point for determining overweight. The area under the curve for NC and MS was 0.87 for men and 0.83 for women (P<0.001). A NC of 39cm for men and 37cm for women was the best cut-off point to determine participants with MS. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a positive correlation of NC with MetS in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes, and could be a useful and accurate tool to identify MS (AU)

Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre el perímetro del cuello (PC), el sobrepeso y el síndrome metabólico (SM) en pacientes turcos con diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: Se reclutó un total de 264 pacientes diabéticos (edad media: 52,9±8,1 años) de 2 centros de Estambul a quienes se realizaron medidas antropométricas, incluidas las de los perímetros de la cintura y la cadera, el PC y el índice de masa corporal. Se determinaron la presión arterial, la glucosa en ayunas y el perfil lipídico (colesterol total y de las lipoproteínas de alta y baja densidad y triglicéridos). Resultados: El PC se correlacionaba con el perímetro de la cintura, con la presión arterial y con los triglicéridos en los varones, pero solo con el perímetro de la cintura en las mujeres. Se comprobó además una correlación negativa del PC con el colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad tanto en varones como en mujeres. El análisis de las características operativas del receptor mostró que el área bajo la curva del PC y el sobrepeso era de 0,95 tanto en varones como en mujeres (p<0,001). Además, un PC de 38cm en varones y de 37cm en mujeres era el mejor punto de corte para determinar los participantes con sobrepeso. El área bajo la curva del PC y el SM era 0,87 en los varones y de 0,83 en las mujeres (p<0,001). Un PC de 39cm en varones y de 37cm en mujeres era el mejor punto de corte para determinar los participantes con SM. Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos indican una correlación positiva del PC con el SM en los pacientes turcos con diabetes tipo 2, que podría ser una herramienta útil y exacta para identificar el SM (AU)

Appropriate neck circumference cut-off points for metabolic syndrome in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between neck circumference (NC), overweight, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 264 diabetic patients (mean age: 52.9±8.1 years) were recruited from two centers in Istanbul to perform anthropometric measurements, including waist and hip circumference, NC, and body mass index. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels) were determined. RESULTS: NC correlated with waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides in men, whereas NC only correlated with waist circumference in women. Additionally, NC was shown to negatively correlate with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both men and women. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve for NC and overweight was 0.95 for both men and women (P<0.001). Moreover, a NC of 38cm for men and 37cm for women was the best cut-off point for determining overweight. The area under the curve for NC and MS was 0.87 for men and 0.83 for women (P<0.001). A NC of 39cm for men and 37cm for women was the best cut-off point to determine participants with MS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a positive correlation of NC with MetS in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes, and could be a useful and accurate tool to identify MS.

The role of geriatric assessment tests and anthropometric measurements in identifying the risk of falls in elderly nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relation among the risk of falls, geriatric assessment, and anthropometric measurements, including the mini mental state examination, geriatric depression scale, handgrip test, and key pinch test. METHODS: This prospective study included 89 residents hospitalized between May 2014 and September 2015 in the geriatric care unit of the Istanbul Balikli Rum Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Patients were followed-up for one year, and their falls were recorded. Medical records of the included patients were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients, comprising 37 men and 52 women with an average age of 75.8 +/- 8.2 years were included in the study. The residents' annual falling averages were 1.0 +/- 1.5. The most significant factors were identified to be predicted muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, whole body bioimpedance, dominant arm muscle strength, dominant arm bioimpedance, and free fat mass.  CONCLUSIONS: The mini mental test, geriatric depression scale and lawton-brody scale combined with the handgrip, 6-meters walking, and bioimpedance tests are favorable for detecting the risk of falls and recurrent falls in vulnerable elderly nursing home residents.

Anthropometric measurements may be informative for nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measurements and Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia (NHAP) risk. METHODS: Consecutive patients of 65 years or elderly who were living in the Balikli Rum Hospital Nursing Homes were included in this prospective study. At the beginning of this study, the patients' anthropometrics values were measured. The patients were followed for one year, and any incidences of pneumonia attacks were recorded. The relationship between the anthropometric measurements and pneumonia occurrences was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 133 inmates at the initial assessments. Of 108 patients who were eligible for the study, 77 (72.2%) were female and 37 (27.8%) were male. The mean age of the group was 79.8±10.5. Patients were assigned to a group according to the presence of pneumonia during the one -year follow-up. There were 74 (55.6%) patients who had suffered from at least one attack of pneumonia during the follow-up period. The mean triceps skinfold was significantly thinner in the pneumonia group, and the mean handgrip measurements in both the dominant and non-dominant hands were significantly weaker in the pneumonia group. Furthermore, the frequency of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) was significantly higher in this group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of pneumonia was high in the elderly population who live in nursing homes. Simple anthropometric values may be predictive of the potential for Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia.

Neck Circumference Positively Related with Central Obesity and Overweight in Turkish University Students: A Preliminary Study.

AIM: According to the World Health Organization, central obesity is increasing alarmingly worldwide. Neck circumference is a relatively new method of differentiating between normal and abnormal fat distribution. The aim of this study is to determine the association between neck circumference and central obesity in young Turkish male and female university students. METHODS: A community of university students based cross-sectional study was conducted on 319 males and 838 females and investigated the association between neck circumference and other anthropometric variables by gender. RESULTS: In male subjects, the neck circumference revealed a positive correlation with the body mass index (r=0.684, p<0.01), waist circumference (r=0.686, p<0.01) and waist/hip ratio (r=0.534, p<0.01). Similarly, in female subjects neck circumference revealed a positive correlation with the body mass index (r=0.482, p<0.01), waist circumference (r=0.479, p<0.01) and waist/hip ratio (r=0.246, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated that the positive correlation between neck circumference, which is a simple and fast anthropometric measurement, and visceral obesity, is also applicable to university students.